Bathroom fixture

ABSTRACT

A bathroom fixture includes a toilet paper holder, air blower style hand dryer, or paper towel holder, each having an outer housing, and which may further include additional components, such as a shelf for holding items, a beverage holder, a hook for hanging purses (or the like), a basket for holding items, a hand sanitizer dispenser holder, and/or a video screen and speaker for showing advertising and/or other audio/video content. The additional components may also include snap-fit attachments, so that they may be removably attached to the housing in any desired configuration, and so that the components are interchangeable with one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fixtures in a restroom. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a bathroom fixture thatmay include various features in different configurations, including atoilet paper holder, a paper towel holder, or an air blower-style handdryer having in various combinations: a shelf, a basket for placement ofitems, a beverage holder, a hook for hanging items, a dispenser for handsanitizer, a video screen, a USB port, and a mobile phone charging pador station.

A common problem for sports fans, concertgoers, and other people whoattend shows or go to bars is the lack of a place to place variousarticles when they use the restroom in a public venue. If a person isattending a concert, and purchases a beverage, for instance, and theysubsequently visit the restroom on the way back to their seats, in manycases, there are few acceptable options for placing the beverage downwhile using the facilities. Similarly, people who visit a publicrestroom do not typically have a secure place to set down purses, mobilephones, or other items that they are carrying on their person.

Many attempts have been made to address this issue. The followingreferences disclose various efforts to provide a place to set down abeverage or other items in a bathroom setting, and these references arehereby incorporated by reference herein:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,429—Bathroom Utility Holder

A bathroom utility holder for supporting a roll of toilet paper for useand in a substantially concealed position. A removable cover facilitatesrefilling the holder and additionally provides an ashtray and a supportfor a drinking glass and toothbrushes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,885—Flush Valve Mounted Beverage Holder andAssociated Method

An apparatus and method for a flush valve mounted holder having a closedbottom and an open top, the closed bottom configured to replace thecover of a flush valve having a flush valve cover in a commercialsanitary fixture such as a urinal or toilet, the holder comprising abase positioned to form the closed bottom of the holder, the base havingthreads positioned thereon for connecting to the flush valve, to therebymount the holder on the flush valve in place of the flush valve cover,and a body connected to the base and positioned to form the open top ofthe flush valve mounted holder, the body having a shape suitable forholding at least one item for a person. The holder is preferablyconfigured so that the body includes an outer wall extending verticallyupwardly from the base to form a hollow cylinder including an innercavity having a floor and a mouth opening having a mouth rim, the hollowcylinder, mouth opening and inner cavity being suitably dimensioned forreceiving a beverage container therein, to thereby define a beveragecontainer holder. The invention also encompasses a method of advertisingincluding the step of connecting an advertisement to a flush valveassembly of a commercial sanitary fixture such as a urinal or toilet byreplacing an original part of the flush valve assembly with afunctionally equivalent part bearing said advertisement.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,005—Public Restroom Shelf

The present invention is a rectangular shelf having a top side and abottom side which includes a hexagonal-shaped valve receiving cap forbeing installed to a conventional urinal or toilet in a public restroom.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,889—Flush Valve Mounted Holder

A holder adapted for mounting on a flush valve housing, said holderincluding a body having a lower portion and an upper portion; aconnector having a side wall forming at least part of the lower portionof said body, said connector dimensioned to engage the flush valvehousing and having a flange adapted to make frictional contacttherewith; a holder having a side wall forming at least part of theupper portion of said body, said holder providing a receptacle forholding an item; at least a first support forming a division betweensaid connector and said holder to support an item placed in said holder;and one or more threaded fasteners positioned on the lower portion ofsaid body to enhance the frictional contact.

US Publication No. 20020162934—Urinal Coaster

A urinal coaster affixed to an upper portion of a plumbing fixture of aurinal. The coaster includes a planar section affixed to a top of theplumbing fixture by an elastomeric attachment section surrounding theupper portion of the plumbing fixture. A beverage container may bepositioned on top of the planar section.

US Publication No. 20040177434—Flush Valve Mounted Holder

A flush valve mounted drink holder constructed of plastic and configuredfor mounting on the flush valve of a commercial urinal or toilet. Thedevice is cylindrical in shape with a closed top and an open bottom. Thetop surface is substantially flat and provides a suitable surface forresting a beverage. The open bottom allows the device to fit over aflush valve with the device's cylindrical walls fitting snugly aroundthe outer edge of the valve, thereby, providing stability to the device.The device is secured to the flush valve's hexagonal bolt via anadhesive square and is installed by simply sliding it onto a flushvalve.

US Publication No. 20060231717—Holder for Beverage-Containing Vesselthat is adapted for wall mounting in lavatories and public restrooms

A holder for a cup, glass, can, bottle or other beverage containingvessel. The holder is arranged to be permanently secured to a verticalsurface in a lavatory or public restroom and is an integral unitincluding a cylindrically shaped chamber, a mounting plate and a neckportion securing the two together. The mounting plate has an innersurface arranged to confront the vertical surface in the lavatory orpublic restroom to mount the holder in place. The chamber has a bottomwall and is arranged to receive the cup, glass, can, bottle or otherbeverage containing vessel therein. The bottom wall includes pluralapertures therein.

US Publication No. 20080098514—Urinal Flush Valve Beverage Rest Holder

A drink beverage coaster is specifically meant to attach to a urinalflush valve top cap. It attaches itself by a vertical wall or aplurality of individual walls that extend 90 degrees away from theunderside of the top coaster part that conform around the urinal flushvalve top cap, and attached to the side edges of the top cap via anelastic spongy material attached on the inner sides of the verticalwalls, that not only conforms to the shape of the urinal flush valve topcap, but when it is put over a top cap, the top cap pushes against thespongy material applying force against the spongy material that in turnapplies force against the inner side of the downward vertical wallswhich then apply pressure back to the elastic spongy material whichapplies the pressure back to the top cap sides. When laying a beverage,whether a bottle, can or glass on the chrome top cap, or plumbingapparatus, a drink is prone to fall off on the floor because the surfaceis not large enough, flat enough and is too slippery to accommodate abeverage container. The drink beverage coaster fits over the top cap viait's spongy material thus allowing for easy removal for maintenance ofthe flush valve and may be put back on easily to accommodate those whohave a beverage in hand at the urinal allowing one to rest their drinkon the beverage rest for hands free operation of said bodily functionsat the urinal without losing one's drink.

Publication No. 20110204194—Beverage Container Receptacle and Method ofInstalling the Same

A beverage container receptacle adapted for installation relative tofixed first and second structures. The receptacle includes acontainer-holding first part having a container rest and a peripherythat defines a void in which is received a portion of the fixed firststructure that extends along a first axis. The periphery at leastpartially surrounds the first axis, and the receptacle is supported bythe first structure when it is installed relative thereto. Thereceptacle also includes a receptacle-retaining second part slidablypositioned relative to the first part. The second part is adapted formovement relative to the first structure received in the void and towardengagement with the second structure. The receptacle is adapted forbeing supported against angular movement in at least one direction aboutthe first axis through the engagement of the second part with the secondstructure. Also, a method for installing a beverage container receptacleincluding the steps of: receiving a portion of a fixed first structurehaving a first axis in a void defined in a first part of the receptacleand at least partially surrounding the first axis with a periphery ofthe void; supporting the receptacle through the first structure;slidably moving a second part of the receptacle relative to the firstpart toward engagement with a fixed second structure; and supporting thereceptacle against rotation in at least one direction about the firstaxis through engagement between the second part and the second structure

Each of the above-referenced devices has disadvantages, and none ofthese devices include the novel and unique features of the presentinvention. None of these devices include the combinations of featuresdisclosed and claimed herein, and none provide a modular assembly,wherein the attachable components are interchangeable, and may bearranged by a user in any desired configuration.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a first embodiment of abathroom fixture includes a toilet paper holder having a horizontallyoriented rod for securing a roll of toilet paper thereon (as iswell-known in the art), and may include other features, including ashelf for holding items, a beverage holder, a hook for hanging purses(or the like), a basket for holding items, a hand sanitizer dispenserholder, and/or a video screen.

In one preferred embodiment, the beverage holder includes a basedefining a hole therein, so that the beverage holder does not retainliquid or trash in a bottom portion thereof. Optionally, the beverageholder may include a pivoting lid, so that the lid may alternate betweenan open and a closed position. The beverage holder lid may also includea spring loaded mechanism, in order to bias the lid toward a closedposition.

Other embodiments include a paper towel holder or a blower-style handdryer having a housing and a combination of the following componentsattached thereto: a basket and/or a shelf for holding personal items, abeverage holder, a hook, a hand sanitizer dispenser holder, and a videoscreen. It should be understood that any combination of the componentsmay be used, while others may be excluded, as desired.

Optionally, the fixture may also include a video screen, preferably withaudio capabilities (one or more speakers), which may be used to showadvertising, a sporting event, a concert, or any other content that maybe of particular interest at the specific venue where the bathroomfixture is located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixture includinga toilet paper holder, a beverage holder, a basket for holding items, ahand sanitizer dispenser holder, and a hook for hanging purses and thelike;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixtureincluding a toilet paper holder, a beverage holder, a basket for holdingitems, and a hook for hanging purses and the like;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroomfixture having snap fit components including a toilet paper holder, abeverage holder, a basket for holding items, and a hook for hangingpurses and the like, so that the snap fit components may be added to thetoilet paper roll holder housing in any desired configuration by an enduser;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixtureincluding a toilet paper holder, a beverage holder, a basket for holdingitems, a hook for hanging purses and the like, and a video screencapable of showing any desired audio/video feed, either through a wiredconnection or wirelessly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixtureincluding a paper towel holder, a basket, a beverage holder and a hookfor hanging purses and the like;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixtureincluding a paper towel holder, a basket, a beverage holder and a holderfor a hand sanitizer dispenser; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixtureincluding an air blower-style hand dryer, a basket, a beverage holderand a holder for a hand sanitizer dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in a first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, is abathroom fixture 10 having a mounting surface 12 that may be mounted ona wall, such as the wall of a restroom stall, and includes a toiletpaper holder 14 including a horizontal post 16 that is used to secure aroll of toilet paper 18 so that the roll may rotate about the post 16.In a preferred embodiment, the toilet paper holder 14 is disposed withina housing 20 having side walls and a pivoting door 22 that may alternatebetween an open position (for changing out a used toilet paper roll fora new roll) and a closed position. Many types of toilet paper holders 14are currently available, and are well known in the art, so it should beunderstood that any type of suitable toilet paper holder may be used.

The bathroom fixture 10 may further include a basket 24 on an upperportion of the fixture 10, as shown (or affixed to the fixture in anydesired manner). The basket 24 preferably has sides 26 to contain itemsthat may be placed therein, and is preferably made from a mesh materialthat will not retain liquids. The basket 24 may be used for placement ofitems, such as a mobile phone, car keys, a wallet, or any other itemthat a person may want to put down during a bathroom break. A hook 28for hanging purses, hats, or the like, may be disposed on the bathroomfixture 10 in any desired position. Additionally, a shelf may also beattached to the bathroom fixture, either along with the basket 24, orinstead of the basket 24, and may serve the same purpose. Optionally,the bathroom fixture 10 may also include a hand sanitizer dispenserholder 30, as shown, to hold a hand sanitizer dispenser 32 either withinsaid housing, or attached thereto in any desirable manner. It should beunderstood that a hand sanitizer dispenser 32 may be integrally formedwith the housing 20, if desired.

In one preferred embodiment, a beverage holder 34 is positioned on thebathroom fixture 10, allowing a person to place a beverage into thebeverage holder 34 while using the facilities. The beverage holder 34may be of any suitable type, and preferably defines a hole 36 within thebase member 38 thereof, so that the beverage holder 34 does not retainliquid or trash. In one embodiment, the beverage holder 34 may includean upper ring to add support to the cup, can or bottle, while such acontainer is disposed within the beverage holder 34. Additionally, anoptional beverage holder lid may be disposed over the top of thebeverage holder 34, in order to prevent trash or other refuse fromcollecting in the beverage holder when it is not in use otherwise. Thelid may be attached to the beverage holder 34 in a pivotingrelationship, so that the lid may alternate between an open and closedposition, and further, the lid may be spring loaded to bias the lid intoa closed position when the beverage holder 34 is not in use.

In one embodiment, the fixture 10 may be modular in nature, so that thetoilet paper holder 14 and housing 20 may be mounted to a wall, and theother components may be removably attached thereto, and may beinterchangeable with respect to the housing 20. In other words, it iscontemplated that the fixture 10 may be in the form of a kit, where thetoilet paper holder 14 (or paper towel holder 40) is mounted to a wall,and the basket 24, hook 28, shelf, beverage holder 34 and/or videoscreen 42 may be removably attached at various locations around thehousing, as in any desired configuration. The connections between thehousing and the other components may be snap fit mechanisms 44, as shownin FIG. 3, channel locking mechanisms, or any other type of removablefittings, so that the components may be added to the housing 20 invarious configurations, as desired. It should also be understood thatthe entire fixture 10 may be integrally formed in any desiredconfiguration.

Additionally, one embodiment of the bathroom fixture may be adapted tobe mounted over an existing toilet paper holder, paper towel holder orair blower-style hand dryer. In this embodiment, the rear portion of thehousing 20 is open, and the mounting surface 12 includes a lip extendinginwardly (or outwardly) from the rear portion of the side walls and/or alip extending downwardly (or upwardly) from the upper surface formounting purposes. In this embodiment, the fixture 10 may simply bemounted on a wall so that the toilet paper holder 14, paper towel holderor hand dryer is positioned inside the housing, and the toilet paper,paper towels or blown air may be fed through an opening on a bottomportion of the fixture 10. In this way, it is not necessary to remove anexisting toilet paper holder, paper towel holder, or hand dryer in orderto mount this embodiment of the bathroom fixture 10.

A video screen 42 may be attached to the fixture 10, as well, and may beused to show advertising, live sports or concert feeds, or any otherdesired content, as shown in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the video screen42 includes a motion sensor, which triggers the video screen 42 toactivate and begin playing content for a pre-programmed amount of time.The video screen 42 may either be pre-programmed to play certain contentthat is stored on the device itself (similarly to an electronic pictureframe that displays a slide show of pictures that are loaded into thememory), or the video screen 42 may receive real-time content through awireless connection, or a direct connection, in any suitable manner.Additionally, the video screen 42 may include speakers, and may bebattery operated, or may be connected to a power source and/or anexternal content source. It is contemplated that the video screen 42 maybe used to show the game or concert that is currently happening in thevenue in real time, so that the person in the bathroom stall maycontinue watching the game or concert without missing portions thereofby virtue of being temporarily in the restroom.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment of a wall fixture 10includes a paper towel holder 40, a beverage holder 34, a hook 28, ahand sanitizer dispenser holder 30, and/or any other of the componentsdescribed herein, such as the video screen 42. It is contemplated thatthis embodiment may be advantageously placed adjacent a sink in arestroom, although the fixture 10 may be placed anywhere that a user maydesire to put it.

It should be understood that any of the above-referenced components maybe employed in any desired combination, and that the snap-fit orinterchangeable nature of the components may be applied to anyembodiment shown and/or described herein in any desired configuration.Additionally, any of the above fixtures may also include a rechargingstation (such as an electrical outlet, USB receptacle, etc.), so that auser may plug in a telephone charger, whether it be a standardelectrical outlet, a USB port, a docking station, or any other means forcharging a telephone, tablet, e-cigarette device, or any otherrechargeable electronic device. In another embodiment, the basket or thetop surface of the housing may include a charging pad, so that a usermay set their phone onto the charging pad and charge it. Additionally,any or all of the components described herein, including the basket,shelf, hand sanitizer dispenser holder, hook, charging stations andbeverage holder may simply be added to an existing housing for a toiletpaper holder, a paper towel holder, or a blower-style hand dryer.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention, including ablower-style hand dryer having a basket, a beverage holder and a holderfor a hand sanitizer dispenser. Additionally, a video screen may beincluded on the hand dryer embodiment, as well, if desired.

It is contemplated that the paper towel holder and the toilet paperholder may also include hands-free feeders with a motion sensor, as iscommonly found in public restrooms today. In this embodiment, when themotion sensor detects motion, an electric motor feeds a pre-set lengthof a paper towel or a pre-set length of toilet paper through the bottomportion of the housing, so that the user need not touch any part of thehousing to obtain paper towels or toilet paper. Similarly, a motionsensor may be used in conjunction with the embodiment that includes theblower-style hand dryer, so that the hand dryer only operates upondetection of hand motion adjacent the air outlet port.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions arepossible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims shouldnot be limited to the description of the preferred versions containedherein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced byalternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose,unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly statedotherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a genericseries of equivalent or similar features.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall fixture, said wall fixture comprising: amounting surface; a housing connected to said mounting surface, saidhousing including a generally flat, horizontal surface on a top portionthereof with a first end and a second end, and two vertical surfacesdisposed at either end of said horizontal surface; a toilet paper holderdisposed within said housing; a basket attached to said horizontalsurface of said housing; and a beverage holder attached to said housing.2. The wall fixture set forth in claim 1, further including a hookmember attached to said housing for hanging items.
 3. The wall fixtureset forth in claim 1, further including a video screen attached to saidhousing.
 4. The wall fixture set forth in claim 3, wherein said videoscreen includes at least one speaker.
 5. The wall fixture set forth inclaim 4, wherein said video screen includes a motion sensor thatactivates said video screen when said motion sensor senses motion. 6.The wall fixture set forth in claim 1, wherein said basket and beverageholder are removably attached to said housing.
 7. The wall fixture setforth in claim 6, further including a shelf that may be removablyattached to said housing, and further, wherein said shelf may be usedinterchangeably with said basket.
 8. The wall fixture set forth in claim2, wherein said hook is removably attached to said housing.
 9. The wallfixture set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a series ofsnap fit mechanisms, so that said basket, said beverage holder, andother components may be interchangeable with one another, and may beremovably attached to said housing in any desired configuration.
 10. Thewall fixture set forth in claim 1, further including a USB port attachedto said housing for recharging electrical devices.
 11. The wall fixtureset forth in claim 1, further including a hand sanitizer dispenserattached to said housing.
 12. A wall fixture, said wall fixturecomprising: a paper towel holder including a housing, said housingcomprising a mounting surface on a rear side thereof, generally flat,horizontal upper surface on a top portion thereof with a first end and asecond end, and two vertical surfaces disposed at either end of saidhorizontal surface, and wherein said housing defines an opening on abottom portion thereof for dispensing paper towels; a basket attached tosaid horizontal upper surface of said housing; and a beverage holderattached to said housing.
 13. The wall fixture set forth in claim 12,further including a hook member attached to said housing for hangingitems.
 14. The wall fixture set forth in claim 12, further including avideo screen attached to said housing.
 15. The wall fixture set forth inclaim 14, wherein said video screen includes at least one speaker. 16.The wall fixture set forth in claim 15, wherein said video screenincludes a motion sensor that activates said video screen when saidmotion sensor senses motion.
 17. The wall fixture set forth in claim 12,wherein said basket and beverage holder are removably attached to saidhousing.
 18. The wall fixture set forth in claim 13, wherein said hookis removably attached to said housing.
 19. A wall fixture, said wallfixture comprising: a hand dryer that blows air, said hand dryerincluding a housing, said housing comprising a mounting surface on arear side thereof, generally flat, horizontal surface on a top portionthereof with a first end and a second end, and two vertical surfacesdisposed at either end of said horizontal surface, and wherein saidhousing defines an opening on a bottom portion thereof for dispensingpaper towels; and a beverage holder attached to said housing.
 20. Thewall fixture set forth in claim 19, wherein said housing includesadditional attachments selected from the group consisting of a basket, ahand sanitizer dispenser holder, a shelf, a video screen, a hook, andany combination thereof.